Marvel's The Sentry Explained: Who Is Lewis Pullman's \"Bob\" In Thunderbolts?

Marvel's upcoming Thunderbolts film remains largely mysterious, but a recent Big Game trailer offers a glimpse into the MCU team-up. While plot details remain scarce, the trailer provides a clearer look at Lewis Pullman as Bob Reynolds, aka The Sentry. This Superman-esque hero's MCU debut promises significant, potentially terrifying, consequences.

Who is The Sentry, and why is he both the Marvel Universe's greatest champion and its ultimate nemesis? Let's delve into this mentally unstable hero's history and his potential role in Thunderbolts.

The Sentry: A Powerful, Perilous Presence

The Sentry is arguably the Marvel Universe's most potent, and most dangerous, superhero. Once an ordinary man, Bob Reynolds, he consumed a serum granting him "the power of a million exploding suns." This immense power, however, comes at a terrible cost: a dark alter ego, The Void. For every good deed The Sentry performs, The Void commits an equally evil act. Bob Reynolds' struggle against his inner darkness is a constant, losing battle. Yet, when a powerful hero is needed, none are better suited than The Sentry.

The Sentry's Abilities and Powers

The Sentry's abilities stem from an experimental serum, a post-World War II attempt to create a Super Soldier Serum alternative. This serum purportedly accelerates his molecular structure forward in time. The result is a hero of immense strength, rivaling the Hulk and Thor, with near-limitless powers. He possesses flight, super-speed, enhanced senses, and near invulnerability. Energy absorption and projection allow him to unleash energy blasts, teleport, and even subdue the Hulk. Essentially, The Sentry is Marvel's equivalent of Superman.

The Void, however, is arguably even more powerful and menacing. This shapeshifting, demonic entity controls weather, invades minds, and has withstood the combined might of the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four. Even banishing it to the sun proved only a temporary solution.

The Sentry's Secret Origin and Avenger Days

Created by Paul Jenkins, Rick Veitch, and Jae Lee, The Sentry debuted in 2000. Initially, even Bob Reynolds himself had forgotten his heroic past as "The Golden Guardian of Good." Upon regaining his memories, he rediscovered his nemesis, The Void. His history with the Hulk and Fantastic Four was retroactively integrated into Marvel continuity.

The Sentry and The Void are two sides of the same coin. The world's collective memory of The Sentry was erased to protect it from The Void. Bob was forced to repeat this act to contain his dark side, ambiguously leaving the question of his own memory of his superhuman identities.

The Sentry later joined the New Avengers, showcasing his immense power while battling to maintain his sanity and suppress The Void. He sided with Iron Man during the Civil War and played a crucial role in thwarting the Hulk's rampage in World War Hulk. However, his downfall began in Dark Reign, where Norman Osborn manipulated him into joining the Dark Avengers. The Void's ultimate release during Siege led to The Sentry's demise, though he has since been resurrected and killed again. The 2023 The Sentry series explores a new host for the Sentry's power.

The Sentry's Thunderbolts Role

The Sentry's appearances have been limited to Marvel comics and mobile games, until now. Lewis Pullman's casting marks his MCU debut. While not starring in a solo film (yet), he joins Thunderbolts, alongside Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian.

His exact role remains unclear, but his comic book history suggests a portrayal as both hero and villain. Will he begin as a Thunderbolts member, only to become their greatest threat? The Sentry's power would certainly pose a monumental challenge for the team. Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine might exploit his power, only to lose control. The Sentry could be the film's equivalent of the Suicide Squad's Enchantress.

The MCU may explore his forgotten past and his connection to other heroes. The film's interpretation of The Sentry as a twisted counterpart to DC's Superman is also anticipated. More details will emerge as Thunderbolts' May 2025 release date approaches.

Note: This article was originally published on November 17, 2023, and updated on September 23, 2024, with the latest information on Thunderbolts*.